Creed - Ludwig GorAnsson

11/22/15

Looks like they built some hurtin' bombs.

Adonis Creed

Training Montage - my new work out jam.

What You Will Hear: Classic Rocky themes, including the wonderful Bill Conti French horn and solo piano textures. New additions include drum machines and a vocal ensemble with effects. Be prepared for some quite experimental electronica. There are a few voice overs (usually a pet peeve of mine), but they show up sparingly and work well.

Will You Be Humming Along? The new theme for Adonis is used quite often, and with great effect. The classic Rocky themes make very tasteful appearances throughout.

The score this makes me want to dust off: EVERY ROCKY SCORE EVERY WRITTEN. (Well... maybe not V.)

Will I come back to it? BIG YES. Disclaimer: I’m from (just outside) Philly. Rocky is our greatest sports hero. And before you go making fun of me for having a fictional athlete in our #1 spot, I’d argue that EVERY sports hero is fictional. Because they’re NOT HEROES. They’re entertainers. Speaking of entertainers, Ludwig Goransson has landed a knock-out punch with Creed. The first win comes from the instrumentation choices. This is a rare case where mixing nostalgic material with modern electronics works very well. The electronics are extremely experimental, and they bring an unexpected new sound to help represent a new generation of characters. I especially appreciated the vocals. Think Imogen Heap. Whether it is a vocal ensemble or layered solo, Goransson isn’t afraid to chase down a new sound. Beyond the vocal effects, there is a lot of straight instrumental electronics. Check out “Front Street Gym” and quite a few other tracks for examples. At the same time, the score features a lot of Bill Conti’s signature Rocky sound. It is all here: mellow solo French horn, choir with that 70’s flare, chimes, lyrics for the training montage, fanfare brass, and thoughtful piano. Whether you’re hearing new or old material, this is a score that fits wonderfully with the established Rocky characters. The new theme for Adonis Creed is no different. It fits perfectly into what we already know from previous films. Mostly performed by effected vocals, piano, or light orchestra, it often has a tinge of angst mixed in with heart. It works especially well when performed by the solo horn that evokes memories of Mickey’s theme. Whatever baggage Adonis is carrying, this motif will only help convey the experience. Throughout the first few tracks, I kept waiting to hear it as a triumphant fanfare and I was rewarded for my patience. See “The Sporino Fight.” It’s a great mix of elation at winning, but is colored with the relief of success while living in the shadow of a great champion. As the main character faces more opponents (in the ring and out), it is used aggressively and lovingly, but always serves as the glue that holds everything together. This is a fantastic theme with a variety of uses. Love it.

The original themes from the classic films make numerous appearances throughout the listening experience. Rocky fans will instantly recognize “You Take My Heart Away” on the track called “First Date.” Whether this is a flashback, or used for Adonis and his love interest, I don’t know. Either way, I loved hearing it. Following this throwback, Rocky’s fanfare and related themes show up in a variety of ways. Look to “Rocky Is Sick” for a heartbreakingly nostalgic moment on piano (that then moves into a nice rendition of Adonis’ theme). One big surprise is the unexpected absence of classic themes from the obligatory “If I Fight, You Fight - Training Montage.” It was a surprise, but not a letdown. This is a new montage for a new fighter. The film is called Creed, after all. With a new melody, but written in the style of “Gonna Fly Now,” the soaring choir and overdone brass slurs will make you feel like it is 1976 again. It even features lyrics: Fighting Hard – Fighting Strong – Fighting Harder. It isn’t exactly Shakespeare, but it doesn’t have to be. It all comes together to form a worthy successor to the tune that propelled Rocky up the Art Museum steps forty years ago. (Woh… 40?!? Somebody check my math.) The only questionable material on this album is found on the tracks marked as interludes. These tracks don’t fit in with the journey, as they are almost entirely electronic. After a few listens, I still have no idea what their purpose could be. They are completely interesting, but I find myself skipping them to enjoy the Rocky/Creed relationship presented on every other track. As you’re listening, you might wonder if the new and old ever truly mix. Again, patience pays off. Look to “You’re A Creed.” This track gives us the classic Conti battle music. At about 1:00 in, the themes for Adonis and Rocky’s final bouts work together for the film’s climax. It only lasts for a bit, but Rocky fans rejoice; this is exactly what you’ve been hoping to hear. Folks new to the Rocky franchise, get to know this track and then check out its previous lives in other Rocky movies. The same can be said for the entire score: it is a love letter to older fans that will also easily draw in new fans. Ludwig Goransson has somehow managed to maintain the integrity of this series (that at one time seemed all but dead) and simultaneously infuse it with modern life. I’ve been excited about this one for months, and it lived up to every expectation.